SouthernWorldwide.com – Lionel Messi, the iconic Argentine footballer, has expressed his unwavering commitment to playing the sport he loves, stating he will continue as long as his body allows. This sentiment comes as Argentina prepares for the upcoming World Cup, a tournament that holds both cherished memories and poignant lessons for the nation.
The year 1994 remains a significant, albeit bittersweet, memory for Argentina in the context of the World Cup hosted by the United States. It was during that tournament that national hero Diego Maradona was controversially expelled following a positive doping test after the second group stage match.
Maradona’s expulsion marked the end of his World Cup career, and Argentina was subsequently eliminated in the round of 16. Fast forward thirty-two years, and the South American football giant is hopeful for a more triumphant narrative for Maradona’s spiritual successor, Lionel Messi.
Messi, who will be celebrating his 39th birthday this month, is widely anticipated to conclude his international soccer career after the 2026 World Cup. This prestigious tournament is being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Should Messi and Argentina manage to defend their World Cup title won in Qatar four years ago, they would achieve a remarkable feat. They would become the first team to win consecutive titles since Brazil in 1962. Such a victory would undoubtedly bolster the arguments of those who already consider Messi the greatest player in the history of the sport.
“I love playing football and I’m going to do it until I can’t anymore,” Messi shared in a YouTube interview with Argentine journalist Joaquín “Pollo” Alvarez. He elaborated on his competitive spirit, noting that it extends even to casual games, stating, “I’m competitive, I like to win at everything, I don’t even let my kids win at video games sometimes. It’s just my nature and what led me to achieve everything I have.”
After over two decades gracing the pitches for clubs like Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Inter Miami, Messi’s physical condition is beginning to show the cumulative effects of his extensive career. Just a week before what is set to be his record-equalling sixth World Cup appearance, he is currently recovering from a hamstring issue.
This injury necessitated his substitution in Inter Miami’s final match before the tournament on May 24. Messi has been diligently working on his recovery, undertaking individual training sessions at the team’s base camp in Kansas City this week.
Argentina’s coach, Lionel Scaloni, acknowledged the situation in an interview with DSports, a Latin American television network. “We all would have liked Messi to arrive without any problems, but that’s not the case. Not only him, most of the players aren’t fully recovered yet,” he stated.
The squad faces other injury concerns as well. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, a pivotal figure in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph, particularly in two penalty shootouts including the final against France, sustained a fractured ring finger on his right hand during the Europa League final while playing for Aston Villa.
Defender Cristian “Cuti” Romero is also on the mend from a knee injury he sustained in mid-April during his time with Tottenham. Full-backs Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel are managing muscle injuries, as is midfielder Leandro Paredes.
Argentina, a nation with a rich World Cup history, having also won the tournament in 1978 and 1986, is scheduled to play its opening group stage match on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City. Their subsequent fixtures in Group J will be against Austria on June 22 and Jordan on June 27, with the latter match taking place in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas.
Coach Scaloni has opted to retain 17 of the 26 players who were part of the victorious 2022 World Cup squad, despite the fact that several are not currently at their peak physical condition. He defended this decision, emphasizing the players’ commitment and consistent performance levels.
“Why change them if they don’t deserve that? We’ve always been honest with them. The players who are here today have shown us they want to be here. And secondly, their level hasn’t dropped,” Scaloni explained.
Argentina’s recent form has been strong, having won the Copa América in 2024 and topping their South American World Cup qualifying group. These achievements underscore their continued status as a formidable force in international football.
Atlético Madrid forward Julián Álvarez is considered a crucial element of Scaloni’s attacking strategy. His talent has attracted significant attention, with reports suggesting that Barcelona, Arsenal, and PSG are all vying for his signature for the upcoming season. The coach has also included three debutants in the squad.
These newcomers include midfielder Valentín Barco, who recently signed with Chelsea, and forwards Nicolás Paz, a key player for Como in Italy, and Juan Manuel López, the leading scorer for Brazilian club Palmeiras.
A notable omission from the squad compared to four years ago is Ángel Di María, who retired from international duty in 2024. Di María, along with Messi, was instrumental in Argentina’s World Cup success in Qatar, making his absence keenly felt.
“It’s impossible to fill Di María’s shoes. He and Messi are irreplaceable,” Scaloni remarked, highlighting the unique contributions of both players.
Despite the team’s recent successes and the high expectations that come with being the defending champions, Messi, known for his reserved demeanor, has attempted to temper expectations regarding another World Cup title.
“We have to get excited, like Argentines always do, but we also have to know that there are other favorites ahead of us who are in better form,” he stated, advocating for a realistic outlook.
Messi already holds the record for the most World Cup matches played, with 26 appearances. He is also on the cusp of another significant milestone, needing just four more goals to surpass Miroslav Klose of Germany’s record of 16 World Cup goals.
While Messi has not explicitly announced his retirement from the national team after the World Cup, he offered a strong indication of his future plans last September. During a qualifying match against Venezuela in Buenos Aires, he referred to it as his “last competitive home game for Argentina.”
“It was very emotional, knowing this was my last competitive match here,” he said after the game at the Monumental Stadium. “I’ve been through a lot in this stadium — some great moments and some difficult ones — but it’s always special to play in front of our fans.”
Coach Scaloni, much like the majority of Argentinian fans, finds it emotional to contemplate a national team without Messi’s presence. He expressed his personal hope for Messi’s continued involvement.
“I like to think he’s going to keep playing because otherwise you get sad, like what happened with Diego (Maradona),” Scaloni shared in an interview published on the website of the South American soccer confederation CONMEBOL. “They are players who have made history in football and thinking that they won’t play anymore doesn’t leave you at peace. I prefer to think about the present.”
Reporting by The Associated Press.
